FCC engineers say they have found no technical reason not to move forward on a proposed plan for a nationwide, free wireless Internet service . T-Mobile, which uses spectrum adjacent to the bands in question, had argued against the proposal, suggesting the new service‘s signals would interfere with the company‘s 3G wireless network.

The report clears the way for the FCC to move forward with a plan to auction off airwaves to a bidder who agrees to offer free, national wireless Internet service. The FCC is expected to finalize rules this year and could begin auctioning off airwaves in early-to-mid 2009.

T-Mobile has fought FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s proposal to encourage development of free Web access by raising concerns that the service would disrupt the company’s 3G wireless network, for which it charges customers. But FCC engineers said recent tests in Seattle showed the airwaves could be used for a wireless broadband service “without a significant risk of harmful interference.”

“This report confirms that we’re able to move forward with broadband services as proposed by Chairman Martin without causing harmful interference to license users of adjacent spectrum,” said an FCC spokesman.

The network would have to reach 50% of the U.S. population in four years and 95% within a decade.

Levi Stubbs, the legendary lead singer of the Four Tops, and one of the greatest soul vocalists of all time, has died in Detroit after a long illness. Stubbs’ death leaves only one remaining Tops founding member, Abdul “Duke” Fakir.

As the distinctive lead of the Four Tops, Stubbs was best known for his deep, passionate vocal style that turned Holland-Dozier-Holland compositions like “Bernadette” and “Reach Out” and later, upon the group’s move from Motown to ABC Records, on adult soul songs such as “Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I Got)” and “Keeper of the Castle.”

Stubbs also took a comical turn, playing the voice of Audrey II in the movie version of the musical Little Shop of Horrors.

A heart attack and stroke permanently sidelined Stubbs a half decade ago, and he was wheelchair-bound as he took the stage for the group’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2005. But Levi Stubbs will long be remembered as a staple of Motown’s greatest years and as one of the most distinctive and revered vocalists of all time. He will be greatly missed.